Hilltop Camp
Hilltop Camp
Monthly visitor conditions
Big 5 sighting calendar
Practical planning
Hilltop Camp
Hluhluwe's Historic Safari Base Since 1934, Where Operation Rhino Saved the White Rhinoceros From Extinction
Perched at 450 meters elevation on the highest ridge in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, Hilltop Camp commands views extending 30 kilometers north across forested hills to the Ubombo Mountains.
The camp's elevated position: established in 1934: sits above the tree line where summer thermals bring black eagles and martial eagles circling past the restaurant deck at eye level.
Below the thatched chalets and stone pathways, kudu bulls browse at the security fence while vervet monkey troops stage calculated raids on unattended braai areas.
This is where Ian Player and his team planned Operation Rhino in the 1960s, using the camp's infrastructure as coordination headquarters for the capture and translocation efforts that saved the white rhinoceros from extinction.
Hilltop Camp Accommodation
Hilltop 4-Bed Chalets Self-Cater
Hilltop Camp Offers, Rustic 4 bed self-cater thatched chalets.
Consisting of two bedrooms, with 4 single Beds en-suite bathroom/shower combination open-plan living with Deck-& Braaiii!
Bed linen and towels are supplied. Rooms Serviced Daily..
There is also a kitchen with a stove, microwave oven, fridge, kettle, crockery, and cutlery all you need but Basic. In addition to this, there is a lounge/dining room open plan layout and deck with Braai (barbecue) stand with fantastic views.
❄️ WINTER (MAY-SEPTEMBER)
🌡️ 10-25°C | ☀️ Clear skies, dry | 😊 Comfortable all day
⭐⭐⭐ EXCELLENT 👁️ Clear visibility | 💧 Animals at waterholes | 📸 Easy photography
🟤 Brown grasslands | 🌳 Trees lose leaves | 👀 Open sightlines
❌ No malaria risk 📅 Peak booking season ✅ Best for first-timers
☀️ SUMMER (NOVEMBER-MARCH)
🌡️ 20-32°C | 🌧️ Afternoon storms | 🥵 Hot midday hours
⭐⭐ GOOD 🌿 Dense vegetation | 🌍 Dispersed across reserve | 📸 Challenging conditions
🟢 Lush green landscapes | 🌳 Full canopy coverage | 👀 Limited visibility
🦟 Low malaria risk 👶 Baby animals (Nov-Jan) ⚡ Dramatic storm photography ✅ Best for experienced visitors
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Offers, Big-5 Safari walks and game drives,
They run for approx 3hrs, PP:R575.00 no children under 6 sorry, You may also use the Hilltop restaurant and bar if you don't feel like cooking. There's also a great pool to cool off, after a hot day's safari. ( Shower 1st please : )
On The weekends, The restaurant has a big Braai/BQ buffet style at The Hilltop Lodge, On the veranda overlooking the valley.. Amazing views and wildlife (extra cost)..
The Hilltop Camp & lodge has a great African feel and history. Built On the very top of a hill, the views are spectacular, Plenty of Big game viewing in around the camp.It is Fenced.
4 Bed Self-cater
- Self-cater Fully Equipped Braai
- Single Beds 2 Bedroom En-suite Bathroom
- Rooms Serviced Daily
- Restaurant & Bar
- Game Fenced For Protection
- Pool & Playground For Kids
- Fuel & Shop, Firewood
- Fans & Mosquito Net
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Gate Fee
Overnight & Day Visitors: An international day visitor pay R240 per adult per day & 50% off for children under 12 years. SA Resident, pays half price for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Gate Open / Close Times / Open 5 am / Close 6pm
Amazing Wildlife Sightings
Hilltop Camp 2-Bed Chalet Self Cater
2 Bed Self-cater
- Self-cater
- Full Kitchen in Self-cater Units
- Single Beds 1 Bedroom En-suite Bathroom
- No A/C , Fans & Mosquito Net
- Restaurant Bar
- Pool & Playground
- Rooms serviced Daily
- Shop Fuel & Firewood
Hluhluwe Accommodation Hilltop Camp
2-Bed Chalet Self Cater
Rustic, Self-catering thatched chalets One bedroom, with 2 single beds. The 2-bed chalets have an en-suite bathroom that has a shower combination. Full kitchen with stove, microwave oven, fridge, kettle, basic utensils, cutlery and crockery– bed linen and bath towels. All you need...
Open plan layout leading onto an outside deck and braai (barbecue). Units serviced daily.
Shopping should be done before you get to the park Drinking water should be brought. and don't forget to bring some charcoal as a backup. There is a small shop for things forgotten, but its small basic foodstuffs and wood.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Entrance Fee
Gate Fee For Overnight Visitors: A Int Day Visitors R240 per adult and R120 per child under 12 years will be charged. SA Residents pay half price for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
FAQ
Is Hilltop Fenced? YES...
Is There air con? NO
Are There Double beds? NO
Is There a pool? YES
Is There a restaurant? Yip, and a full Pub
Game Drives? YES 3hr
Safari Walks? Yes 2.5hr
Can You Use 2x4 Car in the park? Yes
Hyena Cute Pups
Hluhluwe Hilltop Camp 2-Bed Non-Self-catering Chalet
2 Bed Non self-cater
- Non-self-cater
- 2 Single Beds / 1 Bedroom En-suite Bathroom
- Bar Frig
- Restaurant Bar
- Fans & Mosquito Net
- Pool & Playground
- Rooms serviced Daily
- Shop Fuel & Firewood
2-Bed Non-Self-catering Chalet
These non-self cater thatch chalets consist of one bedroom with a small lounging area, a bar refrigerator and kettle with crockery for tea and coffee & en-suite... Bath towels as well as linen provided...Serviced Daily
Deck overlooking the bush No Braai Or Cooking facilities.
These are non-self-catering facilities You would dine at the Hilltop Camp restaurant. Children under the age of 3 are free of charge... A cot can be organized from the reception when checking in, at no charge.
Hilltop Camp 2-Bed Rondavels-Huts
2 Bed Rondavel Self--cater
- Self-cater
- 2 Single Beds / 1 Bedroom / Comunnel Ablutions
- Budget
- Communel Kitchen
- Rooms serviced Daily
- Fans & Mosquito Net
- Restaurant Bar
- Pool
- Shop Fuel & Firewood
2-Bed Rondavels-Huts
The rest hut accommodation Known as Rondavels In Africa.
A great option for a budget stay in a big5 game park very basic but all you need.
And they do include breakfast as well as, Large kitchen to cook.
- Self Cater
- Braai, cooking on fire outside
- Large communal kitchen
- Communal showers like a camping ground
- Use of restaurant if you choose
- Game Drive & Walks available
- Fenced for protection
- Pool
- 2 beds, small sink, and drinks fridge
Each has two single beds, a wash-hand basin, a wardrobe, a small fridge, and a kettle. Each their own braai. Basic cutlery and crockery supplied in the room and a communal kitchen with bed linen and bath towels.
There is a communal kitchen for all rondavels and ablution block for residents only... cleaned daily.
They are a bit of walk, slightly away from the rooms may also use the restaurant and pool.
Rondavel, Huts are serviced daily.
These are a great budget stay close to the pool and pub. Very Affordable. There really is no better deal at a Big5 game park in South Africa..
FAQ
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Gate Entrance Fee
Gate Fee Overnight Visitors And Int Day Visitors pay R240 per adult and R120 per child under 12 years will be charged. SA Residents pay half price for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Gate Fee.
Gate Open Close Times/ Open 5am / Close 6pm
Hluhluwe -Imfolozi Game Park Brief History,
Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the “big five” of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. Established in 1895, game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range. Like,
Rhino, Wild Dog, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, Leopard, Cape Buffalo and that's just some. There are also 300 birds species and many amazing smaller creatures that make up this ecosystem and make it all work as one.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world-renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which originated in Imfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a benchmark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.
Below are some of the conservation team at work moving some Rhino in imfolozi game park
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Viewing
Hilltop Camp Layout Map
